Alexander Animal Hospitalhttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com
Fri, 13 Sep 2019 20:21:37 +0000en-UShourly1154899655How to Help Your Pets Get Alonghttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/how-to-help-your-pets-get-along/
Fri, 13 Sep 2019 20:21:27 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=349Believe it or not, cats and dogs can share the same home. It honestly depends on the temperaments of both. But as long as it there isn’t open hostility, you might be surprised that they can bond and become the... Read More

]]>Believe it or not, cats and dogs can share the same home. It honestly depends on the temperaments of both. But as long as it there isn’t open hostility, you might be surprised that they can bond and become the best of friends. Here’s a look at how to help your pets coexist.

As long as it there isn’t open hostility, you might be surprised that they can bond and become the best of friends. Here’s a look at how to help your pets coexist.

Dogs and Cats

Sometimes, the dog will want to chase the cat. This is because they are prey-driven and think that the cat is food. This can be a dangerous situation for both of your pets. Talk to the breeder or shelter where you are looking to adopt the dog from, and find out if they are prey-driven or not. These instincts can lead to disaster if they aren’t addressed early enough. After all, you will want to make sure both pets are compatible with one another. Retraining is possible, but it could be difficult and time-consuming even if you know what you are doing.

Be Careful

In any case, be as careful as you can. Part of this involves being mindful of both pets’ pasts. If you didn’t raise them from the time they were young, you might not know their backstory. Both pets can territorial, no matter who enters the household first. Both pets can be protective of their human family. Eventually, they’ll learn to play with each other, but you don’t want any fights to break out the first time they meet.

Hand Out Treats

Everyone loves treats. Use this fact to your advantage. You’ve got to walk a fine line here, though: spoiling them can lead to further bad behavior. But at the same time, you have a chance to reinforce good behavior and get them to learn something. Reward them for good behavior.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>349What You Should Know About Pet Vaccineshttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/what-you-should-know-about-pet-vaccines/
Sat, 07 Sep 2019 02:27:04 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=346Getting your pets vaccinated is important. It’s a good way to help ensure their long-term health, even if nothing is wrong with them right now, that doesn’t mean that their health won’t change. Here’s what you should know about these... Read More

Getting your pets vaccinated is important. It’s a good way
to help ensure their long-term health, even if nothing is wrong with them right
now, that doesn’t mean that their health won’t change. Here’s what you should
know about these vaccines.

Why Are Multiple Vaccines Important?

Puppies, kittens, and adult pets all need the
right vaccines. When it comes to an adult pet, the vaccine shots become far
less frequent. Even so, it comes down to age, breed, and activity level. As
time passes and all pets grow up, their immune systems also change. Both
puppies and kittens get nutrients and antibodies from mother’s milk. The
problem is that although this prevents viral and bacterial infections, it also
keeps the vaccination treatments from working as well as they
should. Eventually, natural immunities will fade, and that’s where the vaccines
come into play.

When It Should Happen

So your next question will likely involve when
the next round of shots should happen. Around six to eight weeks, the vaccine
treatments should start. Then this means that the shots should be delivered
every month or so, sometimes three weeks later. The vaccines are formulated to
wake up the immune system and help make it stronger so that the baby animals
don’t get sick.

For Puppies

So let’s take a closer look at what kinds of vaccines you can expect for your pup. The Distemper vaccine is one that’s incredibly important. It protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus also called parvo. These vaccines start at eight weeks old, with intervals of 3-4 weeks, and keep going until the puppy is sixteen weeks old. Another vaccine is for rabies. Rabies is a deadly disease, but entirely preventable with the right approach. It’s also one of those diseases that can be passed onto humans. That’s why you shouldn’t avoid vaccinating your dog against rabies.

For Kittens

For kittens, their vaccines include shots for
distemper, rabies, and feline leukemia. The leukemia shot is is even more
important when the cats like to go outside or share a home with other cats.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care
for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander
Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in
Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas.
Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the
importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the
human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>346Helping Your Pet Deal with Anxietyhttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/helping-your-pet-deal-with-anxiety/
Fri, 30 Aug 2019 19:34:20 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=343There are lots of things that can cause anxiety in pets, from travel to introducing new pets to heading to the vet. However, no cause is so common as that of loud noises. Many of you know when a storm... Read More

]]>Here are a few ways to help ease the anxiety your pet is going through.

There are lots of things that can cause anxiety in pets, from travel to introducing new pets to heading to the vet. However, no cause is so common as that of loud noises. Many of you know when a storm is approaching or when fireworks are starting downtown, not because you hear the booms and crashes, but because your pets are going bananas. Perhaps they scratch at the doors or furniture to get closer to you and hide, maybe they seek refuge under furniture or inside cabinets, or maybe they pant and pace and whine. However they exhibit their distress, it is clear that your beloved pet is stressed. This stress is not just hard on their (and your) emotions. Anxiety can have serious physical effects too. So how can you help them cope?

Provide Comfort

You cannot and should not expect your pet to simply outgrow noise-anxiety with repeated exposure. In fact, repeated exposure may make the problem worse. If you know that there is a noise trigger for your pet, such as fireworks or the weekly trash truck, try to keep doors and windows closed during that time to keep the noise down. You could also turn on the TV or radio and turn on a fan or AC unit to help drown out some of that outside noise. Stay near your pet if you can, providing snuggles and comfort, or distracting them with a toy or game. If they tend to hide during noise, provide a comfortable hiding spot with food, water, and bedding so they do not have to brave the danger for a drink. Pressure garments, like Thurdershirts, may also be a useful tool in helping your pets calm down. If possible, never leave pets alone during times that their anxiety might be triggered.

In Extreme Cases

In extreme cases, it is worth talking to your vet about what else you can do. There may be a combination of strategies that can help your pet, including some behavior modification techniques.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>343What to Do When Your Pet Needs Emergency Carehttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/what-to-do-when-your-pet-needs-emergency-care/
Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:08:37 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=341We all get worried whenever we need emergency care. We get just as worried whenever someone in our family needs medical care too. So how can we tell when our pets need emergency care? After all, they can’t speak to... Read More

We all get worried whenever we need emergency care. We get just as worried whenever someone in our family needs medical care too. So how can we tell when our pets need emergency care? After all, they can’t speak to us in the same ways.

Seeing the Signs

Whenever your pet needs emergency care, you need to get to an animal hospital as soon as you can. Being hit by a vehicle, breaking bones, or being bitten or injured by other animals are some of the most urgent causes for emergency treatment. If your pet has ingested some poison, then you need to get them care too. If they bleed too much, that’s another sign, including if they start coughing up blood.

Injuries

If they’ve suffered an eye injury, have trouble breathing, or you find blood when they potty, that’s all a sign you need to get them to the hospital. If they suffer a seizure or collapse unexpectedly or fall unconscious, you need to treat them much in the same way you would with a person – get them the best care possible.

Other Problems

There are other health issues you need to be on the lookout for, too. Check their abdomen to see if it’s too hard. If they stop eating or drinking for more than a day, then that’s another sign of trouble. If they start limping or seem lethargic, you need to pay attention to them. Swelling or having trouble during pregnancy are also signs that something is wrong.

Listening to Your Pet

In the end, you know your pet best. You’ve got to listen to them. If they seem out of sorts, then you need to call someone you can trust, such as the team at Alexander Animal Hospital. Even if something isn’t wrong, you will still want to be sure of that, even for your peace of mind.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>341Deciphering Your Dog’s Body Language, Pt.2https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/deciphering-your-dogs-body-language-pt-2/
Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:43:06 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=338Understanding what your dog wants and needs can be difficult. After all, you might not have much experience being a pet parent. But it is simpler than you might think. Here’s more information when it comes to deciphering your dog’s... Read More

]]>Understanding what your dog wants and needs can be difficult. After all, you might not have much experience being a pet parent. But it is simpler than you might think. Here’s more information when it comes to deciphering your dog’s body language.

Here’s more information when it comes to deciphering your dog’s body language.

Leave Me Alone

Think about the signs you give off when you don’t feel like interacting with anyone. While you are capable of expressing this feeling in words, your dog might not be able to; decoding their bark is only part of the story. Your dog cowering is one sign that they feel uncomfortable when it’s time for brushing, so you should ease them into it. Yawning also doesn’t indicate boredom or sleepiness. It’s one way that a dog can vent off some stress. Moving around a lot can also be a sign – if they are trying to move away from you, it’s a sign that they don’t want to go for a car ride. Then again, they could also be super excited to go with you, even if they can’t come.

I Am Frightened

Not moving around or running off can also indicate that your doggy is scared. Licking the lips, sticking the ears back and looking away are also signs of fear or stress. People can get nervous around dogs and can be flat out terrified whenever the see a dog, even a friendly one. Dogs can also be scared of people or other dogs. It all depends on their past experiences. Treats can help make the fear go away, but if your dog is scared of something, there’s a good reason for it.

Can We Keep Going?

Pet your dog and see if they are into it. They might not want to be petted or shown affection all the time, even if they demand attention. Sometimes they’ll want more attention – just because your done petting them doesn’t mean they want you to stop!

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>338How to Decipher Your Dog’s Body Languagehttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/how-to-decipher-your-dogs-body-language/
Fri, 02 Aug 2019 11:00:40 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=335You often talk to your dog, and they talk back. At least, they do in their own way. For all the times you wish you could understand what their barks mean, it doesn’t have to remain a mystery. But since... Read More

]]>You often talk to your dog, and they talk back. At least, they do in their own way.

You often talk to your dog, and they talk back. At least, they do in
their own way. For all the times you wish you could understand what their barks
mean, it doesn’t have to remain a mystery. But since dogs can’t speak back to
us the way other people can, you will just have to read your dog’s body
language. Here is a guide on how to do that.

Look at Their Eyes

The part of the eyes that matters the most is
the white part, known as the sclera. Look at where your dog is looking. Tension manifests itself as
the eyes being rounder than normal. You might also notice more of the white
part than you normally would when your dog is feeling calm. This condition is
called the “whale eye”. When the pupils are dilated, that also tells you that
your pup is spooked. They might be feeling threatened, stressed out, or scared
for some other reason. However, one way to know that your dog is feeling fine
is also to watch the eyes. They squint when they feel relaxed, so you’ll spot
almond-shaped eyes and you won’t be able to see any white at all.

Watch the Mouth

Your dog’s mouth can also tell you how they are feeling
at the moment. An open mouth with slight panting also indicates a relaxed mood,
as odd as that sounds. It’s just how dogs are programmed. Closed mouths and
long lips display fear and tension. A snarling face exhibits anger or aggression,
but hopefully, you only see that in small doses. Most of the time, your dog
should smile. Along with other types of body language, you can tell that your
dog is happy, especially when they perform a puppy bow.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care
for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a
full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the
Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the
needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized
veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and
their pets.

]]>335How to Travel with Your Petshttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/how-to-travel-with-your-pets/
Fri, 26 Jul 2019 19:20:36 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=332Are you taking your pup on a road trip with you to another state this summer? What about taking your cat to visit grandma? Even if you aren’t going over the hills and far away, you still need to know... Read More

]]>Are you taking your pup on a road trip with you to another state this summer? What about taking your cat to visit grandma? Even if you aren’t going over the hills and far away, you still need to know how to travel with your pets. Keeping them safe and comfortable is just as important as making sure every human member of your party is ready to go.

Even if you aren’t going over the hills and far away, you still need to know how to travel with your pets.

What to Consider

Before going anywhere, take a minute to think about what your pet’s personality is like. Your cat may be goofy and demanding of pets and treats, but that could change when they are in new surroundings. Likewise, if your dog is overprotective of its human pack, it may not be the best idea to take them somewhere full of new sights, smells, and strangers. Find a place to stay that is pet-friendly. Most of the time, this means that the hotel will only accept dogs. Get everything together that you need to take optimal care of your pet, and make sure to schedule a check-up for them before you leave.

What to Bring

Food, water, and collapsible bowls are must-haves. You shouldn’t leave the house without them, even for relatively short-range trips. Crates, carriers, and bedding are also important. Don’t leave behind toys and medications. All identification and medical records need to be updated, and you’ll be sorry if you don’t bring the grooming supplies and waste bags that might not always be provided, especially at rest stops.

What to Remember

Finally, there are some other things you should remember before its time to hit the road. Make sure you know where the collar is and keep it attached to your pets at all times, especially when you have more than one critter to look after. Get them microchipped, and don’t leave them in a hot car.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>332The Importance of Caring for Catshttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/the-importance-of-caring-for-cats/
Fri, 19 Jul 2019 14:41:54 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=329Our pets take care of us just as much as we take care of them. No matter how old your cat is, is what shape they are in, you need to do your best to take proper care of them.... Read More

Our pets take care of us just as much as we take
care of them. No matter how old your cat is, is what shape they are in, you
need to do your best to take proper care of them. This means discouraging bad
behaviors like eating too fast or clawing up the furniture. Here is a look at
why it’s so important to care for all of the cats in your life.

Is Your Cat Sick?

It’s difficult to tell when something is wrong
with your cat. Part of their instinctive programming is
to avoid showing weakness. If they display signs of vulnerability, then they
could become the victims of predators. That’s why they need to hide when they
are feeling uncomfortable. If you are worried about your feline friend, you
should bring them in for a checkup at your vet and go to the animal hospital if
needed.

How Preventative Care Works

One of the major parts of preventative care is making sure that your cat gets a checkup. This might be necessary more than once a year. A physical for a cat wouldn’t be the same as for a human. The biggest reason for that is because cats age so much faster than people do.

Keeping Them Healthy

Another part of keeping your cat healthy is
keeping an eye on their behavior with their personal behavior in mind. Two
physicals a year can reveal any hidden problems that may not be obvious to the
average pet owner. Diagnostic tests, dental exams, parasite treatments, and
getting shots caught up are all part of preventative care for your kitty, and
so is managing their weight. This may involve changing their diet or activity levels based on what could be
ailing them.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care
for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a
full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the
Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the
needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized
veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and
their pets.

]]>329How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Summerhttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/how-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-summer/
Fri, 12 Jul 2019 20:58:40 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=325Summertime is one of the best times of the year. However, spending time with loved ones can be tricky if they are the four-legged variety. Hot asphalt can burn little paws and even sitting inside the car can be a... Read More

]]>Summertime is one of the best times of the year. However, spending time with loved ones can be tricky if they are the four-legged variety. Hot asphalt can burn little paws and even sitting inside the car can be a struggle without enough air conditioning to help keep everyone cool. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe and sound all summer long.

Hot asphalt can burn little paws and even sitting inside the car can be a struggle without enough air conditioning to help keep everyone cool. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe and sound all summer long.

First Things First

Make sure you take them to the vet and get regular checkups. Keeping yourself healthy is important, but you won’t know without a baseline of information collected by your doctor. The same advice goes for all of your pets, even if they aren’t always only cats and dogs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to dental health, proper diets, and staying disease-free.

Vaccinations

You’ll also want to make sure that your pets get all of the vaccinations that they need. That’s because your pets will encounter wild animals, even if you aren’t planning on taking them hiking, and might also drink from unclean water sources if you’re unable to watch them closely enough. Be sure to bring plenty of cool, clean water with you on your next adventure – it’s important for everyone!

Keeping Bugs Away

Mosquitoes are a constant pest for everybody in the summer, which is another good reason to steer clear of standing water puddles. But you also need to watch out for fleas and ticks, who will gladly hitch a ride on your furry friend while ignoring you. There is a silver lining though: there’s plenty of medication you can use to help your pets with this problem.

Dealing with the Heat

Heat and humidity can make everyone feel uncomfortable when we don’t get enough water. But your pets don’t sweat the same way humans do, which is why dealing with the heat is so much more important for them. Overweight or obese pets are in more danger of heatstroke, and if they have heart problems, trouble breathing, or they are senior pets.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.

]]>325Why Your Dog Itches and How to Helphttps://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/why-your-dog-itches-and-how-to-help/
Fri, 05 Jul 2019 22:07:44 +0000https://www.alexanderanimalhospital.com/?p=322Is your dog overly itchy? As one of the most common concerns we see at Alexander Animal Hospital, if your dog is itchy, there are several causes that might be at play. Having a dog that is frequently itching, biting... Read More

]]>Is your dog overly itchy? As one of the most common concerns we see at Alexander Animal Hospital, if your dog is itchy, there are several causes that might be at play. Having a dog that is frequently itching, biting their feet and skin, and licking often can be worrying and annoying if it’s loud. There are several things that can cause your pets to have irritated skin, today we’ll go over some of the most common causes and help you learn how to help.

Is your dog overly itchy?

What’s Making My Pet Itch?

The three most common causes for itching in dogs include parasites, allergies, and infections. Fleas are one of the most common reasons for dog itch, and unfortunately, can be difficult to get rid of. If you find that your dog has a flea problem, you likely will need to treat your entire home and yard as well as using topical and oral flea treatments for all of the animals within your home. If your dog has a food allergy, it can cause a variety of symptoms including itching, digestive upsets, and more, although in some cases your dog may only show signs of itchiness. Yeast and bacterial infections can also cause itching, as can excessively dry skin.

Treating Itchiness

After you find the cause of your pets scratching you can begin treatment. Flea and parasite treatment is often the most complicated because it requires that you remove the infestation from your pet and home at the same time. If you’re treating your pet with a flea bath without addressing the fact that you likely have flea eggs in carpeting, and any fabric, you’ll have another flea infestation as soon as your pooch dries off. Depending on the type of condition, you may be able to simply use topical treatments like anti-itch shampoos or oatmeal baths that help restore moisture and luster to your pet’s coat. In the case of a bacterial or fungal issue, you’ll usually use a medicated shampoo before trying an oral medication.

Oral Therapies

In the case of food allergies, excessive dryness, or advanced conditions, you may need to try oral medications, supplements, and more. Adding supplements of fish oil can be widely beneficial if your pet has dry skin or minor food allergies. You may also try antihistamines, steroids, and cyclosporine to help alleviate symptoms.

We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!

Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.